About Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax
Dioscorea sansibarensis, commonly called Zanzibar yam, is a flowering plant species belonging to the yam family. It is native to Madagascar, and tropical Africa ranging from Tanzania west to Guinea and south to Mozambique. It has also been introduced to other regions outside its native range, including southern Florida. This species grows from a tuber that can reach up to 40 centimeters wide. Its vine can grow over 7 meters in length and up to 3 centimeters wide. The vine twines counterclockwise, and can reach and cling to supporting trees before it grows its first leaf. Its leaves are heart-shaped, growing up to 46 centimeters long and 58 centimeters wide. The leaf tip may taper into a tail-like extension. Its bulbils can reach up to 6 centimeters wide, and may be purplish in color. In parts of Africa, this plant is considered to have magical properties. Its tubers and bulbils are toxic.
